University of Colorado Denver
Department of Environmental Health and Safety
Office of the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Regulatory Compliance
Mailstop F484 Voice: (303) 724-0345
1784 Racine St. Building 401 Fax: (303) 724-0388
Aurora, Colorado 80010
Frequently Asked Questions
Radiation Safety
What is covered on the Modular Exams and what do I need to bring with me to the exams?
Page #viii of the Radiation Safety Study Manual [RSTrainingManual.doc EHS Home > Policies and Procedures] covers the different topics included in the exams and all the material necessary to pass the exams is covered within the study manual. The manual should be available in your laboratory, for more detailed information on the Modular exams view the Radiation Safety Web Page [EHS Home > Radiation Safety > Radiation Safety Training]
Modules 3 & 5 require a Radiation Safety Manual and Radioactive Waste Disposal Manual. Module 2 requires a scientific calculator for a few questions that involve calculations.
Do I have to take the modules in sequential order and when can I expect my score on the modular exams?
It is strongly recommended to take the modules in order. However, if you are unable to do so, you may take the exams in any order.
Once the module exams are scored, an e-mail is sent out within two business days of the exam.
I am unable to make any of the scheduled sessions to take the modular exams. How can I complete the radiation safety training?
If you are unable to attend the scheduled sessions for Modules 1, 3, 4 & 5 at Anschutz, you may arrange for a walk-in session at the Main Health and Safety offices in Building 401 room 202 by calling EHS at 4-0345 or e-mailing your request to . Because Module 2 session involves hands-on instruction, Module 2 is not offered on a walk-in basis.
How do I schedule a waste pickup?
You may submit your request online by using the Radioactive Materials Waste Pick-up Request Form [EHS Home > Services > Radiation Safety > Radioactive Waste Disposal > Waste Pickup Form] or you may call 724-0134 and leave a voicemail message
Where can I get Rad Bags and/Scint Vial Trays?
Radioactive dry waste bags and Scintillation Vial Trays are available at the Support Facility, Building R-30 during regular business hours: 8-5 M-F. Or they can be delivered during our weekly waste pickups; you may request these by calling 724-0134 and leaving a voicemail message or by submitting a request using the Waste Pickup Request Form [EHS Home > Services > Radiation Safety > Radioactive Waste Disposal > Waste Pickup Form].
How do I set up a standing order (Standing Purchase Requests)?
All purchase approval requests can be completed by using the Radioactive Materials Purchase Approval Form [EHS Home > Services > Radiation Safety > Radioactive Materials Purchase Approvals > Radioactive Materials Purchase Approval Form].
Is my package in yet?
When Radioactive Materials packages [EHS Home > Services > Radiation Safety > Radioactive Materials Purchase Approvals] are received they are checked in by our staff. As soon as they are ready to be released, the Environmental Health and Safety staff will deliver the package to your laboratory. You can call our student office to make sure that it has been delivered to our facility at 303-724-0117.
Do I need a film badge to receive my order?
A film badge [EHS Home > Services > Radiation Safety > Dosimeter Program] is not required to be worn when receiving C-14, S-35, or H-3. A film badge is required if the package is labeled with a yellow II label. A good rule of thumb is: “If you have a film badge, you should wear it whenever in the presence of radioactive material.”
When will we get our instrument back (when being calibrated)?
Meters should be returned within two weeks, if not the lab should be notified by that time that there is some kind of problem, i.e., needs repair. If the lab does not have another meter and this time frame may be a problem please request a loaner meter and we will be happy to bring one to you until your meter is returned. Contact Tim Thorvaldson [ for any instrument inquiries at 303-724-0109.
Do I need to have my meter calibrated if our lab doesn’t use radioactive material anymore?
If a lab has an active authorization then the survey meter must be calibrated annually, if there is no authorization and no other lab uses the meter for surveys you may request in writing to have the meter removed from our calibration schedule.
How do I go about purchasing a portable radiation detection instrument (GM or Low Energy Gamma detector)?
Please contact Tim Thorvaldson [ or call 303-724-0109 for advice.
I am a new PI, what do I need to do to use radioactive material?
Follow these steps:
I. Pickup a free radiation safety publication binder from the Support Facility, building R-30. It is important to pickup the publications from the radiation safety office rather than downloading the manuals from our web site. We track all publications we provide to Principal Investigators to ensure that you receive the regular updates we make to the manuals.
New Researcher [EHS Home > Services > Compliance Assistance > New Researcher]
II. Schedule a time to take the radiation safety training. As a PI, you will need to complete and pass all 5 training modules [EHS Home > Radiation Safety > Radiation Safety Training].
III. Apply to the Committee on Ionizing Radiation [EHS Home > Services > Committees] for use of radioactive material. If you plan to perform non-human experiments complete the Application for Radioactive Materials Authorization (Non-Human Use) [EHS Home > Forms].
IV. Apply to the Radioactive Drug Research Committee {EHS Home > Services > Committees] for human use complete the Application for Radioactive Materials Authorization (Human Use) [EHS Home > Forms].
V. For more information about Radioactive Materials Authorizations [EHS Home > Services > Radiation Safety > Radioactive Materials Authorizations] call 303-724-0345
What do I need to do to ship radioactive samples to someone I am collaborating with at a different institution?
Call (303) 724-0234. The Radiation Safety Office is required to obtain a copy of the receiving parties Radioactive Materials License and properly package and label the material. Before calling the above number, please be prepared to provide the following information:
I. The radiation safety office telephone number for the receiving party. If you do not have that information, please provide name of the institution. The radiation safety staff can help in looking up the information.
II. Isotope, compound, activity, and RSO number of the material you plan to ship.
III. Whether dry ice is required or not.
IV. Date you desire to ship the material.
V. Please note that international shipments are extremely difficult due to other countries’ regulations and delivery companies’ constraints. The radiation safety office would make every effort to assist in shipping material internationally. However, we do not guarantee that it is always possible to ship internationally.
I need to dispose of some equipment in the lab that we are no longer using. What is the process to do so?
Please go to [EHS Home > Services > Chemical and Waste Management > Decommissioning Labs and Equipment Disposal]
If the lab moves; are RAM containers going to be green tagged and who is going to move them? Once Items are green tagged do we need to remove the radiation tape and symbols?
EHS will be collecting all waste containers before the laboratory moves [EHS Home > Services > Chemical and Waste Management > Decommissioning Labs and Equipment Disposal] and the containers will be delivered to the new laboratory at Anschutz as soon as the initial inspection or new lab setup is performed and the lab is approved to receive radioactive materials. To schedule a lab setup, call Tim Thorvaldson [ at 303-724-0109 or the main number at 303-724-0345.
You must deface all radioactive material markings or cover them before the movers may move the shields and equipment.
When am I required to perform a survey in my laboratory and how long am I required to keep the smear/wipe test results?
As detailed in the Radiation Safety Manual [RS-Manual2006.doc [EHS Home > Policies and Procedures], you are required to perform and document surveys according to the hazard class specified on your authorization document. It is also recommended as good practice that at least a portable survey instrument survey is performed on yourself and the area each time radioactive materials are handled in any fashion.
The laboratories should keep all formal survey records for at least three years.
Am I required to wear a film badge/ring badge?
A personal dosimeter for external whole-body exposure to penetrating radiations is required for:
I. any person working directly with radioactive materials that emit gamma rays, and/or x rays, and/or beta particles with a maximum energy above 500 keV,
II. any minor for whom a permission form is required under section 3.4.1.1 of the RSM, and
III. any other person designated by the Committee on Ionizing Radiation.
IV. A thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) finger ring badge or other similar extremity monitor is required for any person who will directly handle vessels containing more than 1 mCi (37 MBq) of 32P or any other beta-emitting radionuclide with a maximum energy above 500 keV, and any person who will directly handle vessels containing more than 5 mCi (185 Mbq) of any radionuclide that emits gamma rays and/or x rays, unless that person is specifically exempted by the Radiation Safety Officer.